Www.kentpensionfund.co.uk Local Government Pension Scheme Employer Pensions Forum 5 th December 2013

www.kentpensionfund.co.uk

Local Government Pension Scheme

Employer Pensions Forum5th December 2013


Admissions to the Pension Fund


Steven TaggTreasury & Investments

Email: [email protected]

Steven TaggSenior Accountant –Pension FundBusiness Strategy and Support


Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) - preserving pension provision when transferring

employees from a LGPS employer to the private sector.


Two main messages

This must be considered at the absolute outset and included in any procurement process.

Employees must not be transferred until either of the following two options have been fully completed –


1) Use a broadly comparable pension scheme

Need a Certificate of Broad Comparability from an Actuary.

Employees leave the LGPS and join the pension scheme of the private company.

Our actuary and the actuary of the private company agree ‘bulk transfer’ terms

This option may be withdrawn from 1 April 2014. Waiting announcement from DCLG.


1) Use a broadly comparable pension scheme

• LGPS Regulations 2013 (SI 2013/2356) laid before Parliament on the 19 September 2013.

• Further LGPS transitional regulations are to be introduced and are yet to be laid before Parliament.

• Government Actuary’s Department announcement 27 November 2013.

2) Admission of the private company to the LGPS

Allows time to scrutinise the application and minimise risk to the Pension Fund.

Delegation of Authority


• Data Capture – our actuary then calculates the employer contribution rate and Bond, for the private company to pay and provide.



Based on fully funded at the start but the new company is responsible for any future deficit.

New questionnaire – electronic and hard copy



Pension regulations re Question 4

Answer any queries from the Questionnaire by email, not by completing a new Questionnaire.

Supporting documents no longer necessary to submit.

Precedent admission agreement and Bond.



Financial Health check.

Bond reviewed annually.

Employer contribution rate revised every three years – next valuation as at 31 March with any new rates from 1 April 2014



Reviewing underlying contract

Name Changes

Second generation transfers

Recovery of Pension Fund costs from Letting Authority



• Admission not necessary for:- Schools converting to Academies

- New Parish Councils

- New Scheduled Bodies


Two main messages

This must be considered at the absolute outset and included in any procurement process.

Employees must not be transferred until either of the above two options have been fully completed


Any Questions?


Changes To Local Government Pension Scheme from April 2014

Barbara Cheatle

Deputy Pensions Manager


LGPS 2014 – Overview

• Annual Pension Account

• 1/49th accrual

• CPI revaluation

• Pension age linked to State Pen Age (min 65)

• Voluntary retirement from 55

• Rule of 85 retained (60+)

• Protection for pre 2014 service and underpin for those within 10 years of NRA at April 2012


LGPS 2014 – Overview

• P/T worker contribution rates assessed on actual pensionable pay (not FTE) – so many will pay less

• 50/50 option

• Can purchase additional pension via APC or AVC

Note: • Existing pensioner and deferred members - no change


Employers – 2014 key requirements

• Look at:- Separate records per job- 2 sections to the scheme (main & 50/50)- Pensionable Pay- Assumed Pensionable Pay - Employee contributions- Buying extra pension



Separate records per job

• Same as for auto enrolment• 2 jobs = employee rates separately assessed• Except for single employment relationships• Separate cumulative pensionable pay (incl. APP) and

employee contributions per job - accuracy of pension build up dependant on correct cumulative pensionable pay



2 sections to the scheme (main & 50/50)

• Automatically back in main section from next available pay period:- if goes to nil pay due to sickness and still on nil pay for

that reason at beginning of next pay period (watch out for nil pay s/t sickness)

- after re-enrolment date

unless member elects otherwise



Pensionable Pay

• Same definition as now except that non-contractual overtime and additional hours are now pensionable

• Benefit accrues each Scheme year based on pensionable pay received* in that year (not pensionable pay due for the Scheme year)

* See next slide re APP



Assumed Pensionable Pay

• Accrues during sickness on reduced or no pay (incl. s/t periods), child related leave (ordinary and paid add’l), reserve forces service leave – (rationale)

• Based on last complete 3 months or 12 weeks pensionable pay (excluding all lump sums)

• Regular pensionable lump sum payments may be added to APP by employers

• APP increased by CPI if goes over 2 scheme years• Watch out for – KIT and Stringer days



Employee contribution rates

• New bands with some increases in rates• Table may change before April • Which band? – up to employers but...• Part time staff in band based on actual pay• Review on material change in pay


Current rates and Bands

Full Time Equivalent Pensionable Pay

Headline/Gross Contribution

Contribution after tax relief*

Up to £13700 5.5% 4.40%£13701- £16100 5.8% 4.64%£16101-£20800 5.9% 4.72%£20801- £34700 6.5% 5.20%£34701 - £46500 6.8% 5.44%£46501- £87100 7.2% 4.32%More than £87100 7.5% 4.50% or 4.13%* The net contribution rates are approximate and depend on individual circumstances


New bands and ratesPensionable Pay Headline /Gross

ContributionContribution after tax relief

Up to £13500 5.5% 4.40%

£13501 - £21000 5.8% 4.64%

£21001- £34000 6.5% 5.20%

£34001 - £43000 6.8% 5.44%

£43001 - £60000 8.5% 5.10%

£60001 - £85000 9.9% 5.94%

£85001 - £100000 10.5% 6.30%

£100001 - £150000 11.4% 6.84%

£150001 or more 12.5% 6.88%

* The net contribution rates are approximate and depend on individual circumstances



Employee / Employer contributions

• Employee pays contributions on pensionable pay received (not on APP – except reserve forces service leave)

• Employer pays contributions on pensionable pay received but

• Employer pays contributions on APP during child related leave and sick leave whilst on reduced or no pay



Buying extra pension

• Full and shared cost APC replaces ...

- ARCs

- Augmentation • And used to buy pension ‘lost’ due to:

- Strike – at full cost to member

- Child related leave (unpaid add’l) – shared cost

- Unpaid leave – shared cost (no compulsory first 30 days)

• AVCs



• Payments due for period pre April 2014 paid after March 2014 – contribution rates as at ?old or new rate and old definition? BUT don’t drop pensionable pay into post 2014 cumulatives

• Requirement for hour changes going forward for underpin cases & those purchasing old style added yrs

• Requirement for breaks in service• Pre 2014 definition of Final Pay at date of leaving for pre

2014 membership and underpin cases – calculate as now (but looking to simplify)


Employers – other consideration

• Pre 2014 definition of Final Pay at each Scheme year end for pre 2014 membership and underpin cases – employer to supply FTE? (but looking to simplify)

• Existing added years, ARC and ASBC contracts?• Councillors’ pensions?• TUPE transfers - retain membership of the LGPS – scope

and mechanism still to be worked out


LGPS 2014

• New option from April 2014 -members can choose to voluntarily draw their benefits on or after age 55 without employer’s consent

• Rule of 85 protections will not apply if they choose to take their pension on of after age 55 but before 60 but some employer discretion may be provided


Example of Basic Calculation

Pensionable Pay Pension

Year 1 £10,000 £204.08

Year 2 £10,000 £204.08

Year 3 £10,000 £204.08

Year 4 £10,000 £204.08

Year 5 £10,000 £204.08

Total £1020.40 per year

However, pay does normally rise over time and there is inflation to consider, so we will see how revaluation is needed to ensure the pension does not lose its value


Example of Revaluation

Pensionable Pay Pension Revalued Pension

Year 1 £10,000 £204.08 £229.70

Year 2 £10,000 £204.08 £223.01

Year 3 £10,000 £204.08 £216.51

Year 4 £10,000 £204.08 £210.20

Year 5 £10,000 £204.08 £204.08


Compared with the basic calculation the first 4 years of pension built up have been increased to take account of inflation (assumed 3% each year)


Example of pay rises before Revaluation

Pensionable Pay Pension Revalued Pension

Year 1 £10,000 £204.08 £229.70

Year 2 £10,500 £214.29 £234.16

Year 3 £11,000 £224.49 £238.16

Year 4 £11,500 £234.69 £241.73

Year 5 £12,000 £244.90 £244.90


In this example both increases in pensionable pay and inflation have been built into the calculation of the member's pension.


Employer points to note• Consider budget implication of additional hours being

pensionable

• Consider budget implications for those on reduced or no pay for whom you will need to pay full employer contributions

• Employer policies for post 1/4/2014

• Nominated co-habiting partners change to co-habiting partners

• Consider those on ‘casual’ or zero hour contracts


Any Questions?

Thank you for listening


Local Government Pension Scheme 2014 - Roadshows

Additional forums have been arranged to provide information on the new scheme, new procedures, new forms and what records you need to keep. These have been arranged for:

Ashford Borough Council - 14 January 2014

Sessions House, Maidstone – 16 January 2014

The Coniston Hotel, Sittingbourne – 21 January 2014

Dartford Borough Council – 23 January 2014

Charlton Place, Canterbury – 4 February 2014

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council – 6 February 2014

Tea and Coffee will be provided from 9:30 with the forum starting at 10.00 to be finished by 13:00 at the very latest.

You can book these via the website and I attach a link to our website which includes the booking form for these training sessions -

http://www.kentpensionfund.co.uk/i_am_an_employer/forums,_training_and_courses/employer_training.aspx

.




Steven TaggTreasury & Investments

Email: [email protected]

Steven TaggSenior Accountant –Pension FundBusiness Strategy and Support

Treasury & Investments Team

Anya GelmanKent Accountancy TraineeBusiness Strategy and Support

Joseph McKayKent Accountancy TraineeBusiness Strategy and Support

Ann SelbyFinance AssistantBusiness Strategy and Support

Alison MingsTreasury & Investments ManagerBusiness Strategy and Support

Geoff HallPrincipal Accountant (Treasury)Business Strategy and Support

Sangeeta SuranaSenior Accountant- Treasury and InvestmentsBusiness Strategy and Support

Number of Employers in the Kent Pension Fund

31 March 1989 = 76

Number of Employers in the Kent Pension Fund

31 March 2013= 496

Graph

01/01/1

989

01/01/1

990

01/01/1

991

01/01/1

992

01/01/1

993

01/01/1

994

01/01/1

995

01/01/1

996

01/01/1

997

01/01/1

998

01/01/1

999

01/01/2

000

01/01/2

001

01/01/2

002

01/01/2

003

01/01/2

004

01/01/2

005

01/01/2

006

01/01/2

007

01/01/2

008

01/01/2

009

01/01/2

010

01/01/2

011

01/01/2

012

01/01/2

013

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500Increase in Employers since 1989

Different types of Employers

• Local Authorities• Scheduled Bodies• Academies• Schools• Admitted Bodies• Colleges• Parish Councils• Housing Associations

The Devil is in the detail!Please help us to help you

• Ensure any change to your employer contribution rate is made from 1 April 2014.

Quote your Oracle employer number in

• The subject line of any email to us

Quote your Oracle employer number in

subject line of any email

Quote your Oracle employer number on the Pen 4/1 form

Quote your Oracle employer number here

Quote your Oracle employer number

• In the narrative of your electronic payments

• When sending any cheques (only acceptable with our prior agreement)

Quote your Employer number, our invoice number and the amount of the invoice in the subject line of any email

to us.

Quote our invoice number and the amount of the invoice in the subject line

£10.00

Ensure your pension contributions reach us by the 19th of the following month to which they relate

19th of the month!

Interest may be

applicable in the late

payment of contributions

Update us when your contact details alter

By email

By telephone

Treasury & Investment Developments

• www.kentpensionfund.co.uk/employers

• Suggestions welcome

http://www.kentpensionfund.co.uk/i_am_an_employer.aspx

http://www.kentpensionfund.co.uk/i_am_an_employer.aspx

Sharepoint

New contribution process


Any Questions?


Early Payment of Deferred Benefits


Early payment of Deferred Benefits

• When a member leaves the pension scheme and is not entitled to a refund or immediate payment of benefits they are awarded a Deferred Benefit

• The Pensions Section send a Deferred Benefit Statement each year to the member until either the benefit is transferred to another scheme or the benefit is in payment.

• Both the award letter and the statement explain when the member is entitled to take the benefit but there are two circumstances when the pension can be brought into payment early. These are:- Early Payment - Employers Consent (aged 55+)- Early Payment - Ill Health


Early payment of Deferred Benefits• The process has changed to bring it in line with that for

other benefits

• Former members continue to request early payment in writing to the Pensions Section

• The request continues to be forwarded to the Employer for a decision

• In the letter to the Employer there is less information regarding the decision making but there is a link to more information on our website

• The actual decision making process for the Employer has not changed

• The next stage of the process is the biggest change…


Early payment of Deferred Benefits

• If the member is successful in their request the employer will now follow a process similar to that of any other retirement.- They will a send a letter to the former member, an estimate of benefits and forms to be completed and returned to them- A complete package of information will then be forwarded by the employer to the Pensions Section

• If the member is unsuccessful in their request - The employer will now send a ‘Decline’ letter to the former

member explaining the situation and including a paragraph regarding the IDRP process

- A copy of the decline letter along with a DB Early Payment notification form must then be forwarded to the Pensions Section.

• We hope this new process will standardise the procedure for all employers


Any Questions?


Pension WebsiteEmployerswww.kentpensionfund.co.uk/employers

To access this you need

user name – your 5 digit employer number

password – as notified by the pension section.

If you are unsure what this is then please contact your liaison officer.

In order to comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998, it is now our policy to password protect any documents that are sent electronically and may contain personal information.

The password that we will be using for each employer will be the same as your 8 digit PIN/Website password.

Ensure that all persons who need to know, are aware how to log onto the website.

Employeeswww.kentpensionfund.co.uk

http://www.kentpensionfund.co.uk/employers

http://www.kentpensionfund.co.uk/


Home Page


News Page


Going Forward

• Website will be kept up to date with changes in procedures/forms.

• Looking to complete forms via a webpage •This is under development

• Any suggestions for information that you would like to see on the website then let me know.


Any Questions?

Documents

Www.kentpensionfund.co.uk Local Government Pension Scheme Employer Pensions Forum 5 th December 2013